Flemish School Of The 17th Century, From Sadeler, The Family Of Enoch

Flemish school of the 17th century, from Sadeler
The family of Enoch
Oil on canvas
cm 49 x 115, frame cm 68 x 134


The painting in question is an engraving by Johannes I (Jan) Sadeler (Brussels, 1550 - Venice, 1600). Born in Brussels, Jan Sadeler belonged to a family that successfully produced, published and marketed prints. Jan was the first to practice the art of the bulino.
Enoch and his family, consisting of brother Idris and sister Azrial, together with their parents Iared and Baraka, pray before enjoying a frugal meal, while the servant leaves the house with alms for the poor. The narrative then continues in the detailed piece of landscape where the action takes place, with the assumption into heaven of Enoch during a sacrifice. According to the Revelation, Enoch will return to the earth, with the prophet Elijah, to fight the Antichrist.
Enoch is an antediluvian biblical character, sixth direct descendant of Adam and Eve along the line of Seth (the so-called "great genealogy of the Sethites" mentioned in the Book of Genesis (5:21-23[1]) and in the Letter of Judah where it is expressly said that he was "the seventh [patriarch] after Adam" (Judah 14[2]).
Son of Jared, beget in turn Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah. Particular is his end: "Enoch lived in all 365 years, and walked with God, then he was not seen again, because God took him". This enigmatic verse has given birth to the tradition that he would be taken up into Heaven (as will happen later to the prophet Elijah). " Enoch pleased the Lord and was raptured, instructive example for all generations", says of him Sirach 44, 16[3]. So it is also found in the New Testament: "By faith Enoch was carried away, so as not to see death; and he was no more found, because God had taken him away.